Can I get some regular blood donations?

Got to get this done. I promised.

–30–

*** begin quote ***

Dear Friend,

This is a critical week for New Jersey.

This week the United States Congress will vote on a Sandy Relief Package that will provide $60.4 billion to help New Jersey and other states recover and rebuild from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.

While $60 billon is an incredible amount of money, numbers alone fail to paint the full picture of what we have seen throughout New Jersey. The full story lies in the faces of displaced people who find themselves homeless; their possessions and keepsakes gone. The full story lies with the small business owners who have had to shut their doors.

The preliminary damage estimate provided by Governor Christie is now up to $36.9 billion. So $60.4 billion in federal disaster relief funding to be spread across the region is a good start. But we must pass the Sandy Relief Package quickly, and in its entirety, so we can tell New Jerseyans that they are not alone; that all Americans are in this together. This vote says that we are ready as a nation to help families, businesses, and communities recover.

Yesterday, on the Senate floor, I once again made the case for New Jersey. I made the case for New Jersey families and small businesses still trying to recover; for homeowners in Little Ferry; shopkeepers in Moonachie; for every family who lost property and possessions all along the Jersey Shore and across the State; for our commuters who rely on public transportation to get to school and work; for those who lost power and went without fuel.

And, while some of my Republican colleagues may not be able to fathom the sheer scope of the damage, I explained that entire neighborhoods — where several generations of families lived in close-knit communities – are now gone; that thousands of decades-old small businesses are ruined. I pointed out that even though those scenes are no longer showing in living rooms across the country, it doesn’t mean that the recovery is over.

The need is clear for the passage of the entire Sandy Relief Package. A piecemeal recovery will be a stalled recovery and, in all likelihood, a failed recovery. And failure to recover and rebuild New Jersey’s infrastructure, economy, small businesses and communities is not an option.

This is one country: the United States of America. And when there was destruction along the entire Gulf Coast with Katrina, or a tornado in Joplin, Missouri, or crop destruction in the Midwest, we have come together as a nation to support these communities. The time is now for all members of Congress to stand with New Jersey, just as we have stood with them in times of crisis and natural disasters.

New Jersey has been battered, but we are not broken. We are stronger and more united in our efforts to work together to recover, rebuild, and recommit ourselves to uniting around our common concerns and shared values. That is the lesson we have learned, and together we will rebuild. The Garden State will bloom once again.

And I for one will not rest until the rebuilding is done.

Sincerely,

Robert Menendez

United States Senator

*** end quote ***

Why, o why, am I so cynical?

What’s in the bill?

And, why is it a Federal problem?

Sorry, but the Gooferement isn’t insurance.

Or even kind.

The politicians and bureaucrats steal from us. distribute our own fnds, and then claim the mantle of sainthood for themselves.

Argh!

–30–

Dear Friend,

The senseless, horrific tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday has shaken us all to our cores. We ask ourselves, why? Today, I spoke on the Senate floor to join with every American in expressing our deep and abiding grief as a nation and our deepest — most heartfelt — condolences to the families of the victims.

As the father of two, this strikes painfully close to my heart, painfully close to the heart of every parent. There is no greater sorrow — no deeper pain — than the enormous grief that these families are suffering: 20 innocent children, 6 teachers and school employees and their families. No parent should ever have to bear the unspeakable pain of losing a child, especially to this type of tragedy.

Enough is enough.

We must ensure the Newtown tragedy marks a turning point when we are all willing to come together and do what’s right. As we pray for the victims, I believe we must commit ourselves — as a nation — to a long-overdue debate about gun violence and how we help those who suffer mental illnesses in our society.

We must finally pass common sense gun laws. No more politics. No more excuses.

Sincerely,

Robert Menendez

United States Senator

***************

My response: “Repeal the gun free zones around schools. Allow the school folks to pack heat. Worked for the Israelis!

–30–

http://www.blogdash.com/full_profile/?claim_code=49da76499a0c0dd117793bca7d556cc7

–30–

http://lewrockwell.com/orig13/bennett-l4.1.1.html

Woolly Hats and Heart Attacks

by Lizzie Bennett

Medically Speaking

*** begin quote ***

Each winter there is a myriad of articles published warning us about the dangers of hypothermia, how to spot it and what to do about it. There are articles warning about cold injuries such as frostbite, warnings to the elderly about the dangers of not keeping at least one room warm. Warnings to get the boiler serviced in case carbon monoxide builds up if its faulty. We are warned that we may need extra vitamins, warned to drive carefully, warned to take care if using candles and warned not to leave the lights on the Christmas tree switched on overnight. Not once, anywhere in this plethora of warnings have I heard the one that warns you that you are more likely to suffer a heart attack if you don’t wear a warm hat in cold weather.

*** end quote ***

Makes a believer out of me.

Interesting that my work location is always cold. Even in summer time.

The women are always saying it. And, recently, I couple of ties I felt it. Power of Suggestion? Anyone who knows me that I like it at “Meat Locker” temps. Wife used have a blanket when we took car trips. (Although I always thought she was being sarcastic.)

Maybe there is something to the article.

Maybe if I wear a hat, gloves, and a scarf in the office they think I’ve gone around the bend  and pay men off?

Then, it’ll off to New Hampshire to get warm.

–30–

http://ncc-1776.org/tle2012/tle697-20121118-01.html

THE LIBERTARIAN ENTERPRISE

Number 697, November 18, 2012

Letters to the Editor

Letter from A.X. Perez

Re: “Making ‘Voluntary’ Service Mandatory—One Step At A Time”, by C. Jeffery Small

*** begin quote ***

I continue to be amazed that people who call Heinlein’s Starship Troopers fascistic for suggesting that honestly voluntary service a condition of voting or holding office

*** end quote ***

What was wrong with that concept?

I always thought that this would filter out the grifters and war mongers!

Remember Heinlein’s idea was not just warriors, but all sorts of dirty dangerous jobs that make one value being part of the body politic.

sigh!

–30–

After Tuesday night’s stunning … …

… (to me; how could the Catholic, the Jews, and the under/un employed be so dumb?) …

… … results, I’ll refrain from further political predictions.

Got the electoral count right; just got it the wrong way.

In light of my “great success” as political predictor, I’ll retire with my record of incorrect calls. Like the weathermen, I just keep you amused with know-it-all blather

I will now begin the litany of: “Don’t blame me, I voted for Ron Paul”, “Shut up and enjoy Obamacare”, and my personal l favorite “Have you heard about the Free State Project? I’m moving nlt January 2017”.

–30–

Got an email at 2AM that the IPHONE5 order is cancelled.

Placed the order 9/19. GOt an email there was a problem with the address. Called them; squared it all away. They called me;; got it all squared away. 

Today spent the better part of an hour on the phone. Not getting the phone. The order is not filled out right. 

A plague on all their houses.

Next stop FCC complaint. Like that will do any good.

***

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-09-30-05-14-29

Sep 30, 11:43 AM EDT
US and Afghan forces clash, leaving 5 dead
By HEIDI VOGT and RAHIM FAIEZ Associated Press

*** begin quote ***

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A firefight broke out between U.S. forces and their Afghan army allies in eastern Afghanistan Sunday, killing two Americans and three Afghan soldiers and pushing the number of U.S. troops killed in the long-running war 2,000.

The fighting started Saturday when what is believed to have been a mortar fired by insurgents struck a checkpoint set up by U.S. forces in Wardak province, said Shahidullah Shahid, a provincial government spokesman. He said the Americans thought they were under attack from a nearby Afghan army checkpoint and fired on it, prompting the Afghan soldiers to return fire.

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but are our girls and boys doing in AfPak!

Ron Paul had it right. We can just march out. And, be quick about it.

# – # – # – # – #  2012-Sep-30 @ 13:35  

Sep 30, 11:43 AM EDT US and Afghan forces clash, leaving 5 dead By HEIDI VOGT and RAHIM FAIEZ Associated Press

AP Photo/Brennan Linsley World Video Latest News US military deaths in Afghanistan hit 2,000 US and Afghan forces clash, leaving 5 dead Afghan forces also suffer from insider attacks Taliban release video on Afghan base attackers Panetta: US surge troops out of Afghanistan   Interactives Afghanistan: Shining a light on the dark Efforts to rebuild Afghanistan Afghanistan War’s 1,000 U.S. Troop Casualties AP Photographer Caught in GunFire WIlling to fight, unable to read AP journalists wounded in Afghanistan U.S. troops under attack Marine allegedly faked injuries to get freebies Buy AP Photo Reprints Multimedia US troops spending Christmas KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A firefight broke out between U.S. forces and their Afghan army allies in eastern Afghanistan Sunday, killing two Americans and three Afghan soldiers and pushing the number of U.S. troops killed in the long-running war 2,000. The fighting started Saturday when what is believed to have been a mortar fired by insurgents struck a checkpoint set up by U.S. forces in Wardak province, said Shahidullah Shahid, a provincial government spokesman. He said the Americans thought they were under attack from a nearby Afghan army checkpoint and fired on it, prompting the Afghan soldiers to return fire.

JASPER JOTTINGS Week 26 – 2012 June 24

Jasper Jottings – The achievement journal of my fellow Jaspers, the alumni of the Manhattan College

http://www.jasperjottings.com/2012/jj2012W26.html

INDEX    

• POSITRACTION: Innocent until
• ADMINISTRIVIA: Yesterday, the CIC had a bad night
• JBLOGGER: Nigro, Nicholas [MC1984] remembers Pedro Borbon
• JFOUND: Murphy, Thomas V. [MC1964] “guiding the economy is a proper role for government”
• JEMAIL: Stebbins, Donald M. (MC1961) finds an indictment of the Church
• JNEWS: Barbagallo, Deacon Thomas [MC1999] eported by McEneney, Mike (MC1953)
• JOBIT: Griffith, Robert Claude [MC1966]
• JNEWS: Fiske, Mary-Ellen (Mimi) [MC????] VP Umbrella and Excess Manager XL Group plc
• ADMINISTRIVIA: Any Jaspers in 22102
• JEMAIL: Mother of Campbell, Christine (MC1982) passes
• MNEWS: M.B.A. Students Visit Brazil
• JTWITTER: 78th birthday
• JOBIT: Wolfe, John R. [MC1994 RIP]
• JNEWS: Ward, Emilia [MC2008] Kalamazoo College head coach of the first women’s varsity lacrosse
• JFOUND: Desposito, Joseph [MC????] ElectronicDesign.com’s Editor
• ENDNOTE: Catholic institutions as distractions

# # # # #

If you have to ask you have to ask, you dont need to know. Attention, Luddite, now you can worry. I’m on the FOURTH floor and the windows do open. Paint is progressing. ETA Friday. Furniture on Tuesday. No TV. Have to get one. No cable; have to call for install. Inet via Verizon mifi.

p.s., don’t believe Verizshit advertising mifi ain’t broadband. IMHO a 9600 modem would be better.

Child’s Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.

God bless …

# – # – #

My proposed Child’s Daytime Pryer

Now I arise from bed,
New challenges in my head.

If I should falter doing good today,
I pray the Lord to guide me back to His way.

God bless …

# – # – # – # – #  2012-Mar-29 @ 19:19

Any one notice an odd behavior from YOUTUBE? Latest Taylor Swift video was uploaded. I have YOUTUBE email me on anything new. (Yeah, old fool recapturing his youth?!) And, I received some “interesting” error messages. First was  “mobile not authorized” and second was “this video private”. But google’s cache delivered it?

Strange?

#####

Getting stuff input from an IPAD is difficult at best.

# – # – # – # – #  2012-Feb-13 @ 23:38

Interesting that the “client” is so “cumbersome”?

What else can one say?

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/womens-basketball/news?slug=ap-summitt-stillthesame

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